{"id":793392,"date":"2026-07-30T13:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T13:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/793392\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T13:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T13:30:09","slug":"who-says-no-we-evaluate-your-minnesota-twins-fan-trade-proposals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/793392\/","title":{"rendered":"Who says no? We evaluate your Minnesota Twins fan trade proposals"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Tuesday night, general manager Jeremy Zoll said the Minnesota Twins plan to be buyers<\/a> at this year\u2019s trade deadline.<\/p>\n

Zoll\u2019s declaration \u2014 \u201cI feel clear on the direction\u201d \u2014 follows months of hints and suggestions from the club, including direct statements from Twins chairman Tom Pohlad, that it wants to be aggressive and add players rather than subtract, as it did last season.<\/p>\n

But after trading 10 players from the major-league roster last July, many fans and pundits continue to believe the Twins will offload players. That much was revealed when we asked Twins fans to submit their trade proposals ahead of Monday\u2019s 6 p.m. ET deadline. Most involved the team selling.<\/p>\n

Thank you for suggesting more potential trades than we could ever hope to break down, but as promised, we evaluated your offers. While the major-league executive who planned to participate was unfortunately too busy working on deals, we asked two longtime scouts to evaluate your proposals and suggest which team might be interested. Here\u2019s a selection of your trade suggestions.<\/p>\n

Joe Ryan to the Atlanta Braves for Didier Fuentes, Garrett Baumann, and John Gil<\/p>\n

From Angel H.<\/p>\n

Dan\u2019s take: First, the Twins say no because moving their two-time All-Star would lead to uncomfortable conversations with three-time All-Star Byron Buxton that the team just doesn\u2019t want to have. You don\u2019t want to put Buxton in a spot where he considers waiving his no-trade clause.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to see the Braves parting with Fuentes, who may be off-limits and is in the middle of an outstanding season. Maybe they\u2019d include him in a package if they were getting back a clear-cut No. 1 starter like Tarik Skubal. Maybe. But if he\u2019s not part of a proposed deal, there\u2019s no way the Twins would accept the rest of that package plus someone else for Ryan. If the Twins entertained the option of trading Ryan \u2014 and remember, they have telegraphed their intent to buy at the deadline, not sell \u2014 but if they did, they\u2019d be aiming sky-high with the return package, as they should.<\/p>\n

Scout A\u2019s take: \u201cThe Twins say no here; the Braves\u2019 farm system is improved, but I\u2019m not sure they fit together, especially if the Twins want to compete in the short term. (It seems like those messages are mixed!) The Twins would hold out for one of the breakthrough bats in the system, such as Eric Hartman, or a higher-upside arm such as Briggs McKenzie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scout B\u2019s take: \u201cAtlanta says yes. The Braves will go deep for a top rotation arm (with) an added year (of team control). Atlanta will be watching closely how Ryan bounces back from arm fatigue. However, it is unlikely that the Twins pursue trading Joe Ryan at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Rays get Ryan Jeffers, Twins get TJ Nichols and Ty Johnson<\/p>\n

From Jesse L.<\/p>\n

Dan\u2019s take: This is a sensible offer because you\u2019re adding two guys who look like future major-league relievers. Typically, rentals don\u2019t provide as much of a return as players with team control. And, as one person in the know told me, rental catchers usually net even less than rental pitchers. But this is a great time to have a good catcher available, because the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers all have catching voids they\u2019d like to fill. Essentially, you could keep the Rays\u2019 offer in your back pocket and wade into a bigger pot at the heavy-hitters\u2019 poker table, hoping for a massive payoff.<\/p>\n

Still, I don\u2019t know if the Twins are considering trading Jeffers. He\u2019s been a key performer this year behind the plate and on the offensive end. Earlier this month, I asked a member of the front office about dealing the catcher. The reply: \u201cWhy would we trade Jeffers?\u201d<\/p>\n

Scout A\u2019s take: \u201cThis one makes sense for me. Johnson is basically a two-pitch pitcher. While he does it differently, he reminds me some of Joe Ryan in being so fastball-dominant and having some success at Triple A. He\u2019s very deceptive, and I actually think, like Ryan, his secondaries can get better. Nichols is a fungible power bullpen arm down the line; that\u2019s a good return for Jeffers. I\u2019m not sure Tampa would know what to do with a catcher who can hit, but I bet Kevin Cash would love to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scout B\u2019s take: \u201cRays say yes. Tampa Bay has a need behind the plate and would like to add Jeffers (for his bat and glove). Moving two leverage relievers (one of whom is injured in \u201926) for the rental price of Jeffers would be a reasonable trade scenario.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe Ryan to San Diego Padres for Ethan Salas and Bradgley Rodriguez<\/p>\n

From Rob C.<\/p>\n

Dan\u2019s take: This is exactly the kind of package it would take to pry Ryan away from the Twins. Salas has regained his value this season after back troubles previously harmed it, and adding him makes sense because the Twins absolutely need catchers at, or near the top of, the farm system. Rodriguez is the type of power arm you\u2019d love to add, and he\u2019s only 22. Once again, I\u2019m not sure either team is in on this one. I don\u2019t see the Twins wanting to part with Ryan unless they have a ready-made replacement for the starting rotation, especially after Zoll said they\u2019re buying. And as of Wednesday morning, FanGraphs thinks the Padres\u2019 chances of making the playoffs are 17.9 percent. Are they buying? If so, at what level?<\/p>\n

Scout A\u2019s take: \u201cThis is the best Ryan move in this group of proposals. I love Rodriguez; he checks all the reliever boxes. Size, operation, stuff, toughness. \u2026 I\u2019m in there. Salas made more sense before (the Twins drafted) Vahn Lackey, but you can never have too much catching, and either Salas or Lackey would likely be a very nice trade piece in 2027 \u2014 if there is a 2027 season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scout B\u2019s take: \u201cPadres say no. If they are buyers, they will try to keep Ethan Salas off the table and their best leverage arms in the \u2018pen. The Padres may look for mid-level return trades. I don\u2019t think they will look for the big splash in the buyers market.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle DeBarge (Double A) to Los Angeles Angels for Kirby Yates<\/p>\n

From Dorkus Malorkus<\/p>\n

Dan\u2019s take: Even though DeBarge\u2019s chances of reaching the big leagues are uncertain, the Twins really don\u2019t trade players like him because of the possibility he might turn into an effective, cheap, controllable player. The Angels also probably are asking for more than DeBarge in a hypothetical deal, even though Yates is 39 and a rental. Yates had a solid June, but he\u2019s struggling a bit in July. With his age, I\u2019m not sure he\u2019s the type of player the Twins would want to overpay for.<\/p>\n

Scout A\u2019s take: \u201cPass. I believe time will reveal that DeBarge will not be anything more than a fringe utility player. I know Yates is just a rental, but I\u2019d take my chances on a flier young power arm rather than someone like DeBarge. If you\u2019re the Angels, aim higher. See if you can resuscitate someone like Matt Wallner or injured Ricardo Olivar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scout B\u2019s take: \u201cLos Angeles says yes. The Angels would have interest in acquiring a 23-year-old, potential everyday middle infielder with quality bat-to-ball skills for a 39-year-old rental. Yates may have enough left in the tank to give some quality high-leverage innings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

\n Mets pitcher Luke Weaver will earn $12.5 million next season, which could diminish the Twins\u2019 interest in the reliever. (Dylan Buell \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Twins receive Luke Weaver; New York Mets receive Brandon Winokur and Charlee Soto<\/p>\n

From Bryce B.<\/p>\n

Dan\u2019s take: Your target is right on. Weaver is one of the better relievers in baseball and has succeeded at the highest levels, pitching five scoreless innings for the Yankees in the 2024 World Series. But this is also an aggressive move the Twins might make if their position were a lot stronger. It\u2019s probably more the move you make if you\u2019re leading the division and looking to pad your lead than the move you make in the middle of the pack. Who knows? Pohlad said the only way to win back fans is by making eye-opening moves to improve the roster. If they follow that logic, perhaps this would be the move, one that goes against their own trade history. But Weaver will earn $12.5 million next season, which I believe would be the most the Twins have ever paid a reliever for a single season. Cot\u2019s Contracts says Joe Nathan earned $11.25 million annually from 2009 to 2011. Addison Reed earned $8.5 million in 2019. The Twins typically don\u2019t pay relievers.<\/p>\n

Scout A\u2019s take: \u201cThe scout in me is intrigued by both players because of Winokur\u2019s power potential and hard-to-find right-handed bat, and Soto\u2019s upper-90s sinker. I still think the Mets would pass because Weaver has a year of control to go with his ability to, you know, get major-league hitters out on a consistent basis. I think he requires one surer thing than Winokur\u2019s swing and miss and Soto\u2019s injury-fueled risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scout B\u2019s take: \u201cNew York says yes. My opinion is Weaver\u2019s value is about as high as it will get, and the Mets may take a chance that Winokur will be an MLB impact bat (grass\/dirt player), and that Soto (post-injuries) will develop into a high-leverage \u2018pen or back-end starter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twins send Emmanuel Rodriguez, Adrian Bohorquez and Khadim Diaw to the Los Angeles Angels for Reid Detmers<\/p>\n

From: Patrick K.<\/p>\n

Dan\u2019s take: I think your target is right on. The Twins have had their eye on Detmers for a few years. But the price you\u2019re willing to pay won\u2019t be enough. Even if the Angels were open to moving Detmers, who isn\u2019t a free agent until after the 2028 season, it\u2019s going to cost a pretty penny, and they\u2019ll have plenty of suitors. While Detmers has a 4.01 ERA over the last season-plus, his FIP (fielding independent pitching) is 3.28, and he has struck out 10.7 batters per nine innings. Rodriguez is a very good starting piece for a deal, but he\u2019s averaged less than 60 games over his six pro seasons. If your headliner is injury-prone, that second piece is going to have to be a banger just to get in the door, and that\u2019s if Angels interim GM John Mozeliak is willing to entertain offers for Detmers.<\/p>\n

Scout A\u2019s take: \u201cThe Angels say no, but only because Rodriguez is unreliable. In terms of talent and center-field fit, he makes sense for the Angels. But the market for Detmers is going to be robust; he\u2019s a left-handed starter who can help your rotation short term and long term while also being a postseason bullpen weapon. I think he\u2019s going to be able to fetch a little more prospect capital. I\u2019d ask for a better arm from Minnesota, such as Justin Mitrovich. I just wouldn\u2019t trust products of Minnesota\u2019s Latin American program, especially pitchers; it\u2019s not a strength of that organization.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scout B\u2019s take: Not available due to time constraints.<\/p>\n

Trevor Larnach for Miguel Ullola<\/p>\n

From Kasey E.<\/p>\n

Dan\u2019s take: You\u2019re on the right track in aiming for a pitcher who\u2019s ready to contribute at the major-league level. Also, trading Larnach has made sense for a long time, but not because you want to get rid of him. He knows ball. He\u2019s got great baseball IQ. He\u2019s performed well. But, same as November, the Twins have Matt Wallner and Walker Jenkins ready in the minor leagues.<\/p>\n

I wonder if the Twins would ask for a better arm, or for the Houston Astros to add another player. Ullola walked 78 batters in 113 2\/3 innings last season, which prompted his move to the bullpen. His fastball is big but inconsistent, which could lead to him being a middle reliever in the long run. I think you\u2019re hoping for more, based on Larnach\u2019s production and the team control remaining on his deal.<\/p>\n

Scout A\u2019s take: \u201cI like this fit for both clubs. Ullola has a good fastball with attractive metrics, both a tough approach angle and significant carry, and it has played when I\u2019ve seen him live. Larnach fits the Astros\u2019 long need for a LH-hitting corner OF bat. \u2026 If I were the Twins, I\u2019d try to get a lottery-ticket second piece, such as righty Rainy Rodriguez (very young\/raw but can spin it) or outfielder Nehomar Ochoa (RH power corner bat), but it might be hard to get more for Larnach than Ullola.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scout B\u2019s take: \u201cHouston says no, though not out of the question. Even though Larnach has had an outlier of a plus-productive season, Houston will be looking for something more proven if they are going to add, like a (Daulton) Varsho.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On Tuesday night, general manager Jeremy Zoll said the Minnesota Twins plan to be buyers at this year\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":793393,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[2326,363,99],"class_list":["post-793392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-minnesota-twins","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/793392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=793392"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/793392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/793393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=793392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=793392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=793392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}